Find out how popular the last name Farrah is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Farrah.

Farrah, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Farrah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Farrah in America

Farrah is the 31412th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Farrah surname appeared 737 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Farrah.

We can also compare 2010 data for Farrah to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Farrah

The surname Farrah has its origins in the Arabic language, with its roots likely tracing back to regions of the Middle East and North Africa. The name is derived from the Arabic word "farrah," which translates to "joy" or "happiness." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals or families who embodied these positive qualities or had a joyful demeanor.

The earliest known references to the Farrah surname can be found in historical records from the medieval period, particularly in regions that were influenced by Arabic culture and language. One notable mention is in the "Kitab al-Ansab" (Book of Genealogies), a comprehensive work on Arab genealogy compiled by the historian and scholar Al-Sam'ani in the 11th century.

During the era of the Crusades, the Farrah surname also appeared in various European manuscripts and chronicles, likely adopted by individuals or families who had interactions or connections with the Arabic world. One such instance is in the "Gesta Danorum" (Deeds of the Danes), a work by the 12th-century Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus, which mentions a nobleman with the surname Farrah.

As the name spread across different regions and cultures, variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged. Some notable examples include Farah, Farrar, and Farrer, all of which can be traced back to the original Arabic root. These variations were often influenced by local dialects, linguistic preferences, and scribal errors in transcribing the name.

Among the notable individuals who have borne the Farrah surname throughout history are:

1. Ismail al-Farrahi (1776-1845), a prominent Muslim scholar and theologian from India, known for his exegesis of the Quran.
2. Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib Farrah (1797-1869), a renowned Urdu and Persian poet from the Mughal Empire, celebrated for his poetic works such as the "Diwan-e-Ghalib."
3. Sir Austen Henry Layard Farrah (1817-1894), a British explorer, archaeologist, and diplomat, best known for his excavations in Nineveh and the discovery of important Assyrian artifacts.
4. Idries Shah Farrah (1924-1996), an influential writer and teacher of Sufism, who authored numerous books on the subject and helped popularize Sufi teachings in the West.
5. Mia Farrah (born 1945), an American actress and former fashion model, who rose to fame in the 1960s and is widely recognized for her iconic hairstyle and roles in films such as "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Great Gatsby."

While the Farrah surname has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has since spread across various regions and communities, evolving and adapting to local contexts and traditions. Its enduring presence throughout history serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of cultural exchange and the global dissemination of names and identities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Farrah

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Farrah.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Farrah was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Farrah has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Farrah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Farrah, please contact us.

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